BMW’s new M4 GT3 will contest the Intelligent Money British GT Championship next season with recently crowned GT4 Teams’ and Drivers’ champions, Century Motorsport.
It has been confirmed by Century Motorsport team principal Nathan Freke that the team would be taking delivery of one car in early 2022 with a second reserved subject to availability and driver interest.
Having made its racing debut on the Nordschleife in the 6-hour NLS7 on 12 September with a trouble-free run to tenth place before a planned retirement on the penultimate lap, the car finished in fifth in its second outing in the series last weekend.
Century Motorsport has been an official BMW partner since winning its first British GT4 titles with the BMW M4 GT4 in 2018, before running a pair of M6 GT3s the following year. 2021 saw the team take the British GT4 championship with a round to spare with their M4 GT4 Evo.
The long-standing relationship the team enjoys with BMW has helped them to secure the car for 2022 amongst strong global demand with Century being the only UK team to run the car next year.
With such an exciting addition to the grid already confirmed, Freke is now hopeful of finding a suitable pairing to race Century’s M4 GT3.
“We’ve enjoyed an incredible season in GT4, which has helped us secure the new M4 and BMW’s backing for next year,” he said.
“We’re already talking to a few drivers about the first car, which we’ll get our hands on in the new year, but are keen to hear from anyone interested in joining the programme.
“Securing an M4 GT3 for next season is very difficult even with official ties, as we have, and impossible without them given the global demand. So this represents the only realistic opportunity for someone to race the car in Britain next year.”
Freke also confirmed Century’s intention to enter its GT4 title-winning M4s next season.
“Yes, that’s definitely the plan,” he said.
“As a team, we have the capacity to do both classes. The M4 GT4 has proven itself across a range of circuits this season – it’s a real all-rounder with championship-winning credentials so it’s important we build on that promise, and especially as the Evo kit was only homologated this year. Plus, there’s a structure within the team for drivers to move up through the GT ranks over several seasons.”
British GT’s entry process doesn’t officially open until December 1, but initial interest shown by existing and new teams is already encouraging.
“We initially expected the coronavirus hangover to continue into 2022, but early, informal conversations with prospective and returning teams have been very encouraging,” said championship manager Lauren Granville.
“Nothing is certain until entries are officially submitted, but we are definitely aiming for 30+ full-season cars next year.”
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